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Summary

2/1/2013--Introduced.Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2013 - Provides a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer...Read More

Status

This bill was introduced on Feb 1, 2013, in a previous session of Congress, but was not passed.

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Bill Text

To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family
members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms
Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of
2013''.

SEC. 2. AMNESTY PERIOD FOR VETERANS TO REGISTER QUALIFYING FIREARMS.

(a) Registration.--Subject to such regulations as the Attorney
General may prescribe, the applicable veteran or a member of the family
of such a veteran, who owns and possesses a qualifying firearm, may
register the firearm in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer
Record (described in section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)
during the amnesty period.
(b) Qualifying Firearm.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
``qualifying firearm'' means any firearm which was acquired--
(A) before October 31, 1968; and
(B) by a veteran, while the veteran was a member of
the Armed Forces and was stationed outside the
continental United States.
(2) Presumption of validity.--In the absence of clear and
convincing evidence to the contrary, the Attorney General shall
accept as true and accurate any affidavit, document, or other
evidence submitted by an individual to establish that a firearm
meets the requirements of paragraph (1).
(c) Hearings.--If the Attorney General determines that an
individual may not register a firearm under subsection (a) during the
amnesty period, the Attorney General, on...

Sentiment Map

Nation

755Supporting

385Opposing

66%34%

State: CA

54Supporting

27Opposing

67%33%

District: 1st

3Supporting

1Opposing

75%25%

Popularity Trend

Organizations Supporting

If passed, H.R. 449 would allow veterans or their family members who own and possess qualifying firearms to register the firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (described in section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) during a 90-day amnesty period. In order to be a “qualifying firearm,” the firearm would have to have been acquired by a veteran before October 31, 1968 by a veteran, while the veteran was a member of the Armed Forces and was stationed outside the continental United States. Limited criminal and tax immunity to those turning in qualified firearms. Limited immunity is also provided to those attempting to register qualified firearms after the amnesty period provided the individual surrenders the firearm to a law enforcement agency not later than 30 days after notification by the Attorney General of potential criminal liability for continued possession of the firearm.
H.R. 449 would also require that qualifying firearms that are curio or relic firearms be transferred to the first qualified museum that requests it, and that information identifying each firearm available to be transferred to a museum be published. Destruction of forfeited firearms by the Attorney General is prohibited until five years after the forfeiture. The bill also requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide information regarding the amnesty program to veterans.
Additionally, the prohibition against transfer or possession of a machine gun would be inapplicable to transfers to or by, or possession by, a museum incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under applicable state law that is open to the public.

Organizations Opposing

No organizations opposing yet.

Users Supporting

I support The Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act because...I own a firearm, and have been trained by the Army how to properly use it. Now, as a civilian, I am a home care nurse and sometimes have to travel into less than optimal areas. It is my 2nd amendment right to keep a firearm to protect myself, my family, my property and my home. Please support H.R. 449 to preserve this right.

I support H.R. 449 ("To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain") because...but oppose a registry in general. As it is an infringement of the 2nd amendment.

I support H.R. 449 ("To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain") because...
Originally, the amnesty period was too short and not widely enough publicised. There are many veterans who legally bought these firearms back into the United States or were presented with them prior to these firearms being declared illegal unless registered. With a very short period of time to register these historical items many Veterans were placed into the position of having to remain quiet and keep history hidden.
Additionally, one item which is semi automatic only has been declared by BATF to be a "machine gun" even though it is not. They are declared this simply because of the markings on it. I refer to the M1 carbine where the receiver is identical to the M2 carbine with the exception of 1 (one) number. Physically, there is no difference between the M1 and the M2 or M3 receivers.
CMP even sold a few of these carbines in semi auto only configuration but because they are marked M2, they are considered to be illegal machine guns. Let's do what we can to give these Vets and their families some peace of mind and provide a proper amnesty period.

I support H.R. 449 ("To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain") because... I am a Veteran and I support this but it is not real clear. The words National registry sound like federal registration and it that is the case then I don't support it. I believe a State registry is enough.

Users Opposing

I oppose The Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act because...I am against endorsing any registration of any firearm. This will lead to eventual confiscation. This bill is a ruse to disarm law abiding citizens in the future.

I oppose H.R. 449 ("To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain") because...
Because there is no good reason to require these men and women to register a firearm they have had for over 40 years other than planning for future confiscations.
I will devote time and money to guarantee that anyone who votes for a gun ban (any type of firearm), new background checks, registration, or any restriction (including magazine capacity and reloading equipment including gun powder) on legal firearms owners is voted out of office.

I oppose H.R. 449 ("To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain") because there is no good reason to require these men and women to register a firearm they have had for over 40 years other than planning for future confiscations.

I oppose H.R. 449 ("To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain") because I will not dignify the unconstitutional concept that firearms should be registered at all.

Bill Summary

2/1/2013--Introduced.Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2013 - Provides a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record any firearm acquired before October 31, 1968, by a veteran while a member of the Armed Forces stationed outside the continental United States. Grants such an individual limited immunity under the federal criminal code and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the acquisition, possession, transportation, or alteration of such firearm before or concurrent with such registration. Extends such immunity to a veteran who attempts to register a qualifying firearm outside of the amnesty period if the veteran surrenders the firearm within 30 days after being notified of potential criminal liability for continued possession. Requires the Attorney General to provide clear notice of, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out an outreach program and develop a communications strategy to provide veterans information regarding, the amnesty and registration period. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) transfer each firearm qualifying as a curio or relic which has been forfeited to the United States to the first qualified museum that requests it, and (2) publish information identifying each such firearm which is available to be transferred to a museum. Prohibits the Attorney General from destroying any such firearm which has been forfeited until five years after the forfeiture. Requires that any firearm transferred to a qualified museum be registered to the transferee. Makes a prohibition against transfer or possession of a machine-gun inapplicable to a transfer to or by, or possession by, a museum which is open to the public and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under applicable state law.